Gav Hedge - Cycle challenge

Forward

Thank you for visiting my charity fundraising page. I really appreciate it! I have never undertaken anything like this before. I'm learning as I go.

My love for cycling started approximately 12 months ago, so I am a real novice to this sport.

I have decided to undertake this massive challenge because in May I officially hit “middle age” and need to prove to myself that there is life in the old dog yet! Additionally, I now enjoy wearing tight lycra as it causes massive embarrassment to my dear wife Hayl, children Matilda and Herb and also more recently the dog is showing signs of rejecting me. (For this I apologise).

Any donation will be massively appreciated.

The challenge - Organised by 'Discover Adventure'

Apparently, cycling from London to Paris is one of the great cycle experiences in Europe. Passing through picturesque Kent countryside, we will cross the Channel and continue through the small villages and medieval market towns of Northern France. With long days in the saddle (ouch) and some strenuous hill-climbs (great!), the sight of the Eiffel Tower, our finishing point, will evoke a real sense of achievement. (hopefully).

Day 1 – Dover – Dunkirk. 85 miles

Day 2 – Dunkirk – Cambrai. 100miles

Day 3 – Cambrai – Soissons. 70 miles

Day 4 – Soissons – Paris. 75 miles

This challenge does not constitute a holiday! The trip has been designed to be challenging. I will struggle at times.

I won’t be sight-seeing. The challenge is all about the physical activity. There’s seldom a chance for a lie-in, and I’ll be out early and in all weathers. I can’t change my plans if it rains!

My commitment / plan / progress

I have registered with my chosen charity The CF Holiday Fund and spent hours organising the mechanics of how I can help. The trustees have agreed to allow me to support them and have provided me with marketing material.

I have created my very own charity fundraising page.

I have joined 10 cycling pals to undertake this challenge with.

I have started to reach out to my network of family, friends, work colleagues and clients for support.

I have registered with the challenge organisers “Discover Adventure” and have paid a £99.00 registration fee to confirm commitment.

I have started to train and get to an appropriate level of fitness to undertake this challenge. (This is no holiday!) Currently running, boxing, cycling and dog walking with a back pack!

I am purchasing all of the kit required. This includes tight fitting shorts with a chamois gusset!

Donations. Who get's what and when

I have chosen to undertake this challenge as part of “Discover Adventure’s Fund-Raising” option.

I need to raise £1650.00. 80% to be paid to my charity 10 weeks prior to my departure (29^th June 2022). 20% to be paid to my charity within 2 weeks of my return (25^th September 2022).

The CF Holiday Fund support my trip costs with Discover Adventure and get 50% of the original target plus any additional funds raised.

My Charity - The Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Holiday Fund

CF is close to my heart as we as a family lost a very dear cousin to this horrible disease a number of years ago now. Sarah will not be forgotten.

I witnessed not only the suffering of my brave cousin as she went through medication, treatment and eventually a heart and lung transplant but also the strain on her family unit.

My aunty became a mixture of mom, pharmacist, physiotherapist and CF expert!

Sarah’s family were offered and utilised the support from such charities to get them away on minibreaks to make precious memories.

My aunty tells me that this support was invaluable as it provided a “break from the norm” and allowed a “brief escape” form the weight which they were carrying on their shoulders which was CF.

Many families who have illness within, do not always have the money for luxuries such as weekends away and other holidays. When living with CF this type of support can make a massive difference.

Cystic Fibrosis Holiday Fund (CFHF) Introduction

The purpose at the Cystic Fibrosis Holiday Fund is to provide children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and their families an opportunity to spend quality time together through short breaks and holidays.

This has been impossible after the outbreak of Covid-19 which has hit CF families particularly hard. In response the CF Holiday Fund has developed three new programmes to meet basic needs during this unprecedented time. Focusing on the key requirements of exercise, education and emotional well-being the following three Covid Support Grants are on offer; laptops, exercise equipment and staycations.

CFHF hope to return to providing holidays as soon as it is safe. CLC World Resorts have confirmed their commitment to provide CFCH, free of charge, with luxury accommodation for our families.